Kit and method for playing a golf and soccer-like game

ABSTRACT

A kit and method for playing a golf and soccer-like game includes a kit having at least one play ball and a target ball. The kit includes a club having a shaft with a club head rotatably coupled to the shaft. The club head includes a symmetrical club face portion that usable by right or left handed players and may be rotated to adjust the pitch angle of the club face. The shaft of the club is telescopically adjustable. The target ball may be kicked to begin the game. The play ball is smaller than the target ball and may be struck repeatedly with the club until it strikes the target ball. Multiple players using different play balls may take turns striking their ball toward the target ball. Points are awarded for the fewest strokes or for location on the target ball that is hit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sports equipment and related gamesand, more particularly, to a kit and method for playing a golf andsoccer-like game.

It is enjoyable for a family or for friends of various ages to gettogether and play games. However, many outdoor sports and games requireequipment specific to the size of the participant or require expensivecombinations of equipment, e.g. a full set of golf clubs andaccessories.

While existing sports games and equipment provide enjoyment to itsparticipants, they do not provide an inexpensive combination of ballsand equipment in which the same equipment pieces may be utilized by allparticipants of various ages and sizes while providing for a variety ofshots. Further, it is desirable to have a kit and method for playing agame in which a club includes an adjustable shaft length and in which aclub head is rotatably adjustable to vary the pitch angle of a shot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A kit and method according to the present invention includes a club, atarget ball, and a plurality of play balls. The target ball is similarin size to a soccer ball and may be initially kicked away from theplayers and club to begin the game. The object of the game is for aplayer to strike his respective play ball until it impacts against thetarget ball. The player who strikes his play ball the fewest number oftimes to hit the target ball is the winner. Players may take turnsstriking their respective balls. The club includes several elements ofadjustability to make it usable by players of various heights and forstriking the play ball into the air at selectable pitch angles. Moreparticularly, the club shaft is telescopically extensible for use byboth short and tall players. And the club head is selectively rotatablesuch that the pitch angle of the club face may be selectively angled forselective loft. The club head also includes a symmetric configurationfor use by both left and right handed players.

Therefore, it is desirable to have a kit and method of play that allowsfamily and friends at various age and size levels to enjoy game play.

Another object of this invention is to have a kit and method, asaforesaid, that provides play of a golf and soccer-like game.

Still another object of this invention is to have a kit and method, asaforesaid, having a club that is telescopically adjustable to be used byplayers of various heights.

Yet another object of this invention is to have a kit and method, asaforesaid, including a club with a rotatably adjustable club head forhitting shots at selected pitch angles.

A further object of this invention is to have a kit and method, asaforesaid, having a club that allows a player to manually release a clubhead to be rotated or to fix the club head at a selected configuration.

A still further object of this invention is to have a kit and method, asaforesaid, in which multiple players may strike a respective play balluntil it impacts a target ball.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kit for playing a golf and soccer-likegame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are perspective views of the club shown in FIG. 1 inrespective telescopic configurations;

FIG. 2 c is an exploded view of the club as in FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a hosel and club head of the club shown inFIG. 2 a;

FIG. 4 a is a front view of the club as in FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 4 b is a sectional view of the club taken along line 4 b-4 b ofFIG. 4 a;

FIG. 4 c is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of a respectivesection of FIG. 4 b;

FIG. 4 d is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of a respectivesection of FIG. 4 b in an engaged configuration;

FIG. 4 e is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of a respectivesection of FIG. 4 b in a released configuration;

FIGS. 5 a-5 c are perspective views of the club as shown in FIG. 2 b inrespective club head pitch configurations; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of game play according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A kit 10 and method 100 for playing a golf and soccer-like game isdescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 c of the accompanyingdrawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the kit 10 includes a club 24, a target ball 12, andat least one play ball 20. While one play ball 20 is suitable for singleplayer game play, it is preferred to have a plurality of play balls 20with each play ball being different than the others, e.g. differentcolors. The target ball 12 and each play ball 20 present a conventionalspherical configuration. Further, the target ball 12 includes aplurality of concentric regions shown as 14 a to 14 d in FIG. 1. Eachconcentric region is associated with a predetermined point value andrespective point values may be imprinted thereon with appropriatedindicia or color/pattern variations (not shown).

Each play ball 20 is preferably slightly heavier than a tennis ball andincludes a weight of about 2¼ ounces and presents a diameter of about 2⅝inches. Each play ball 20 further includes a layer of fuzzy material forimproving the “feel” of a shot when impacted by the club head, as to bedescribed in greater detail below. The target ball 12 includes adiameter that is larger than the play ball diameter, the target ballpreferably being about 8⅝ inches in diameter.

The target and play balls 12, 20 may each include respective of hook andloop fastening material 16, 22, respectively, attached to respectiveouter surfaces such that a play ball 20 may releasably adhere to thetarget ball 12 upon impact. Therefore, particular points may be scoreddepending on what concentric region a play ball 20 affixes to.

The kit 10 further includes a club 24 having a shaft 26 and a club head48 coupled to a first end 28 of the shaft 26. More particularly, theshaft 26 includes a first shaft portion 30 defining a longitudinal axisthat is telescopically received in a second shaft portion 32 and movablealong the longitudinal axis. The first 30 and second 32 shaft portions,therefore, are length adjustable to multiple configurations (FIG. 2 a to2 c).

A threaded coupling 40 regulates when the first shaft portion 30 isreceived into or removed from the second shaft portion 32 (FIGS. 4 a to4 c). More particularly, a plurality of threads 36 are formed on thesecond shaft portion 32 adjacent a lower end 34 thereof (FIG. 2 c). Aflange or plurality of flanges 38 are connected to the second shaftportion 32 intermediate the threads 44 and lower end 34. The coupling 40includes an upper cylindrical section 42 having a plurality of threads44 complementary to the threads 36 on the second shaft portion 32 (FIG.4 c). The coupling 40 includes a tapered section 46 depending from thecylindrical section 42. As the threads 44, 36 of the coupling 40 andsecond shaft portion 32, respectively, are engaged and tightened, thetapered section 46 is frictionally tightened relative to the flanges 38.Accordingly, the first and second shaft portions are telescopicallyadjustable when the coupling 40 is loosened and are fixed in positionwhen the coupling 40 is tightened.

A club 24 includes a hosel 50 for interconnecting the club head 48 tothe first end 28 of the shaft 26 (FIG. 2 a). The hosel 50 includes anupper portion 52 having a cylindrical configuration for receiving thefirst end 28 of the shaft 26 therein, the upper portion 52 being inlinewith the longitudinal axis defined by the shaft 26. The hosel 50 furtherincludes a lower portion 54 having a cylindrical configuration anddefining a bore therethrough, the lower portion 54 and bore beingarranged at an acute angle relative to the upper portion 52 (FIG. 3). Ahosel spline 56 is positioned within the bore. The club head 48 iscoupled to the hosel 50 for adjustable operation as to be described morefully below.

The club head 48 includes a club face portion 58 having first 60 andsecond 62 club faces arranged in a symmetrical configuration (FIG. 4 a).More particularly, each club face has an identical configuration so thatthe club 24 may be used by right or left handed players to strike a playball 20. The angle of each club face determines the pitch angle of aball struck thereby. An attachment rod 64 is fixedly attached to andextends outwardly from one side of the club face portion 58 andterminates at a free end 66 (FIG. 3). A club head spline 68 extendsabout said rod 64 adjacent the club face portion 58. The rod 64 isreceived by the hosel lower portion bore and is capable of relativelongitudinal movement therein, as will be further described below. Therod 64 is held within the hosel bore by threaded engagement of athreaded section 70 of the rod 64 with a nut 72 (FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 4 d, the rod 64 is normally situated in the hosel borewith the club head spline 68 mated with the hosel spline 56 such thatthe rod 64 and club face portion 58 are prevented from axially rotating(the “engaged configuration”). A lever 74 is pivotally coupled to thehosel lower portion 54 adjacent the bore opening opposite the hoselspline 56 and club face portion 58 (FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 4 e, thelever 74 includes a configuration such that an operation thereof causesthe lever 74 to bear against the free end 66 of the rod 64 and to urgethe rod 64 longitudinally within the bore so as to disengage the clubhead and hosel splines 68, 56 (the “released configuration”). When thesplines are released, the rod 64 and club face portion 58 are free to beaxially rotated to adjust the pitch angle of the club face portion 58.

A compression spring 76 is positioned within the hosel bore between thenut 72 and the hosel spline 56. This spring 76 is compressed when thelever 74 is operated to urge the rod 64 to the released configuration(FIG. 4 e). Upon a release of the lever 74 by a user, the spring 76urges the rod 64 to move back to its normally engaged configuration(FIG. 4 d). Therefore, the club head 48 is biased toward the engagedconfiguration.

The club 24, target ball 12, and plurality of play balls 20 may be usedaccording to a unique method of playing a golf and soccer-like game.More particularly, a first player throws, kicks, or otherwise places thetarget ball 12 away from the starting location, as indicated by numeral100 of FIG. 6. The other player may then strike his play ball in anattempt to contact the target ball 12 as indicated at 102. The firstplayer does likewise 103. Players may adjust the pitch angles of theirclubs as shown by reference numerals 104 and 106 and may alternatelystrike their respective play ball as indicated at 110 and 112 until bothplayer's play balls have hit the target ball. At that time, the playersmay record the appropriate points 114, i.e. depending on the concentricregion contacted or where certain hook and loop fasteners were engaged114. The other player continues on until his play ball 20 strikes thetarget ball 12. Multiple rounds may be played 116 using this methodologybefore final scores are tallied 118.

Accordingly, the kit and method described herein is useful to provideenjoyment to players of many sizes and ages, especially to persons whoenjoy soccer and golf games.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have beenillustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar assuch limitations are included in the following claims and allowablefunctional equivalents thereof.

1. A kit for use in playing a golf and soccer-like game, comprising: aplay ball; a club having a shaft and a club head coupled to a first endof said shaft for striking said play ball; and a target ball for beingpositioned a selected distance from said club and adapted to becontacted by said play ball during game play, whereby a player isallowed to strike said play ball using said club until said play ballcontacts said target ball.
 2. The kit as in claim 1 wherein said targetball includes a diameter that is larger than a diameter of said playball.
 3. The kit as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of playballs, each of said plurality of play balls having a color that isdifferent from any other of said plurality of play balls.
 4. The kit asin claim 1 wherein said play ball includes a layer of fuzzy material. 5.The kit as in claim 1 wherein said target ball includes a plurality ofconcentric regions, each concentric region including means forindicating an associated point value.
 6. The kit as in claim 5 wherein:said target ball includes one of a hook and loop fastener materialconnected to at least one of said plurality of concentric regions; andsaid play ball includes another of a hook and loop fastener materialattached to an outer surface thereof, whereby said play ball isreleasably coupled to said target ball when respective hook and loopfastener materials engage one another.
 7. The kit as in claim 1 whereinsaid shaft includes a first shaft portion defining a longitudinal axisand a second shaft portion telescopically received in said first shaftportion and movable along said longitudinal axis, whereby to adjust thelength of said shaft.
 8. The kit as in claim 7 further comprising meanson said shaft for selectively holding and releasing said first andsecond shaft portions at a selected telescopic configuration.
 9. The kitas in claim 1 wherein said club head includes first and second clubfaces having a symmetrical configuration so that said club may be usedby right or left handed players.
 10. The kit as in claim 1 wherein: saidclub head comprises: a club face portion; a rod extending from said clubface portion; a club head spline extending about said rod adjacent saidclub face portion; said club comprises: a hosel fixedly attached to saidfirst end of said shaft for coupling said club head to said shaft, saidhosel defining a bore therethrough for receiving said rod for relativemovement therein; a hosel spline positioned in said bore; and means forselectively moving said rod between an engaged configuration in whichsaid hosel and club head splines are releasably mated together toprevent rotational movement of said club face portion and a releasedconfiguration in which said hosel and club head splines are displacedfrom one another so as to allow rotational movement of said club faceportion.
 11. The kit as in claim 10 further comprising spring means insaid hosel bore for biasing said rod toward said engaged configuration;and wherein said means for selectively moving said rod includes a leverpivotally coupled to said hosel adjacent a free end of said rod forselectively urging said rod toward said released configuration.
 12. Akit for use in playing a golf and soccer-like game, comprising: a playball; a club having a shaft and a club head axially coupled to a firstend of said shaft, said club head including a club face portion having apair of opposed symmetrically configured club faces for striking saidplay ball; means for selectively rotating said club head to a desiredclub face configuration; a target ball for being positioned a selecteddistance from said club and adapted to be contacted by said play ballwhen said play ball is struck during game play.
 13. The kit as in claim12 wherein said means for selectively rotating said club head comprises:a hosel fixedly attached to said first end of said shaft for couplingsaid club head to said shaft, said hosel defining a bore at an acuteangle relative to said shaft; a hosel spline positioned in said bore; arod extending outwardly from said club face portion of said club headand received in said hosel bore for relative back and forth movementtherein; a club head spline extending about said rod adjacent said clubface portion; means for selectively moving said rod between an engagedconfiguration in which said hosel and club head splines are releasablymated together to prevent rotational movement of said club face portionand a released configuration in which said hosel and club head splinesare displaced from one another so as to allow rotational movement ofsaid club face portion.
 14. The kit as in claim 13 further comprisingspring means in said hosel bore for biasing said rod toward said engagedconfiguration; and wherein said means for selectively moving said rodincludes a lever pivotally coupled to said hosel adjacent a free end ofsaid rod for selectively urging said rod toward said releasedconfiguration.
 15. The kit as in claim 12 wherein said shaft includes afirst shaft portion defining a longitudinal axis and a second shaftportion telescopically received in said first shaft portion and movablealong said longitudinal axis, whereby to adjust the length of saidshaft; and said kit further comprising means on said shaft forselectively holding and releasing said first and second shaft portionsat a selected telescopic configuration.
 16. The kit as in claim 12wherein: said target ball includes a diameter that is larger than adiameter of said play ball; and said play ball includes an outer layerof fuzzy material;
 17. The kit as in claim 12 wherein: said target ballincludes a plurality of concentric regions, each concentric regionincluding means for indicating an associated point value; said targetball includes one of a hook and loop fastener material connected to atleast one of said plurality of concentric regions; and said play ballincludes another of a hook and loop fastener material attached to anouter surface thereof, whereby said play ball is releasably coupled tosaid target ball when respective hook and loop fastener materials engageone another.
 18. A method for playing a golf and soccer-like game,comprising: (a) providing in combination a target ball, at least oneplay ball, and a club having a shaft with a club head coupled to theshaft for striking said play ball; (b) positioning said target ball aselected distance from said play ball and said club; (c) striking saidplay ball with said club head for moving said play ball toward saidtarget ball; (d) repeating step (c) until said play ball strikes saidtarget ball.
 19. A sports equipment piece for use in a golf-like game,comprising: a shaft having first and second ends; a hosel fixedlyattached to said first end of said shaft and defining a bore at an acuteangle relative to said shaft; a hosel spline positioned in said bore; aclub head having a club face portion for striking said play ball and arod extending outwardly from said club face portion and received in saidhosel bore for relative longitudinal and rotational movement therein,said club head including a club head spline extending about said rodadjacent said club face portion; and means for selectively moving saidrod between an engaged configuration in which said hosel and club headsplines are releasably mated together to prevent rotational movement ofsaid club face portion and a released configuration in which said hoseland club head splines are displaced from one another to allow rotationalmovement of said club face portion.
 20. The sports equipment piece as inclaim 19 further comprising spring means in said hosel bore for biasingsaid rod toward said engaged configuration; and wherein said means forselectively moving said rod includes a lever pivotally coupled to saidhosel adjacent a free end of said rod for selectively urging said rodtoward said released configuration.